Most colleges require an SAT or ACT score for admission. If a student’s scores are weak in an area, the college may also require a college placement test to determine which classes a student will be placed in. Many colleges will also use a placement exam as admission to their dual enrollment program. The Postsecondary Education Readiness Test is one such exam that is administered by many colleges.
The P.E.R.T. is a pass/fail exam.
The P.E.R.T. provides assessment in three areas: Reading, Writing and Mathematics – each section having 30 questions. The test is taken on a computer and the questions adapt based upon how well the student is answering. This means that if a student is getting all of the questions correct, the test will move on to more challenging questions. The good news is that the test is not timed – so take your time to be sure you answer each question correctly. Once you have answered a question and moved on you cannot go back and change your answers.
The math section deals mostly with algebraic concepts such as linear and quadratic equations, working with polynomials, and graphing equations. The reading section will test a student’s ability to discern information in a reading passage such as tone, structure, relationships, reasoning, vocabulary, etc. And, the writing section looks at things such as grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, sentence structure, vocabulary usage, structuring of paragraphs and organization of thoughts.
This is not a pass/fail type of test, but minimum test scores to be placed in college level classes are generally as follows:
- Reading 106
- Writing 103
- Mathematics 114 for placement in Intermediate Algebra – 123 for placement in College Algebra
You may take this test at your local college’s testing center. The test is usually offered free of charge the first time you take it and at the student’s expense for subsequent attempts. You will receive your scores upon completion of the test.
If you have not had time to sit for the SAT or ACT – or you are not satisfied with your scores, this is a test you may want to consider.
You will find more information in this PDF. This document not only gives you information about the test, it also contains several sample questions from each section of the assessment so that you can get an idea of what is to be expected.
~ to your success!
Joanne
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Thank you, Joanne, for sharing your knowledge. I love that there is another option for those that may not test well on the traditional ones.
Can the PERT results be turned in to DCSB as end of year eval? My son is going to take it soon to see if he can Dual Enroll for Foreign Language classes.
Natalie –
I haven’t heard one way or the other about whether DCSB will accept PERT results. They do accept SAT/ACT.
Pert Math is suppose to be a 114 not 113
Thank you for catching that. Correction made!